Stableman's Lien & Abandonment Notice Letter Pack

When a boarder stops paying or walks away from a horse, a stable cannot simply sell the animal or turn it loose — doing so can create civil and criminal liability. Nearly every state gives boarding facilities a stableman's or agister's lien: a possessory lien on the horse (and often the tack and equipment) that can be enforced by sale after the facility follows a specific notice procedure. This pack contains three letters, in the order they are sent, plus a short guide. The procedure and deadlines vary by state; confirm your state's statute, and have an equine attorney review these letters, before you rely on them.

How to Use This Pack

The letters below track the six steps most states require to turn an unpaid board bill into an enforceable sale. Do them in order, keep proof of every mailing, and never give the horse back until you are paid.

1. Maintain continuous possession. Your lien exists only while the horse stays in your uninterrupted possession. Returning the horse to the owner — even briefly — extinguishes the lien. Keep caring for the horse and keep it on your property.
2. Send a certified-mail demand for payment (Letter 1). State the amount owed and a firm deadline, and send it certified mail, return receipt requested, so you can prove the owner received it.
3. Observe the statutory waiting period. After the demand, most states require you to wait a set period — commonly 10 to 30 days — before enforcing the lien. Confirm the exact period for your state.
4. Send and publish a notice of sale (Letters 2 and 3). Notify the owner and anyone else with a recorded interest of your intent to enforce the lien, then give notice of the sale itself. Most states require you to publish the sale notice in a local newspaper for a set number of consecutive weeks.
5. Hold the public sale. Sell the horse at public auction to the highest bidder on the noticed date, terms, and place, and apply the proceeds to the debt and the costs of the sale.
6. Forward any surplus to the owner. Money left over after the debt and sale costs are paid belongs to the owner and must be sent to the owner's last known address, with an accounting.

Letter 1 · Formal Demand for Payment

Send this first, as soon as board is past due under your payment policy. Send it by certified mail, return receipt requested, and keep the receipt, the green card, and a copy of the letter. Do not release the horse — your lien depends on keeping continuous possession.

Date: ______________________________

To (Owner Name): ______________________________

Owner Mailing Address: ______________________________

Sent via Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested — Tracking #: ______________________________

Dear [OWNER NAME]:

Our records show that the board and related charges for your horse, [HORSE NAME], stabled at [FACILITY NAME], [FACILITY ADDRESS], are past due. As of [DATE], the following amounts are owed:

Unpaid Board (number of months × monthly rate): ______________________________

Late Fees: ______________________________

Veterinary / Farrier Costs Advanced by the Facility: ______________________________

Other Charges (describe): ______________________________

TOTAL AMOUNT DUE as of [DATE]: ______________________________

Please pay the full balance of [AMOUNT] on or before [DATE], which is no fewer than [NUMBER] days from the date of this letter. Payment may be made by [PAYMENT METHODS] at [FACILITY ADDRESS], or as otherwise arranged with us in writing. Board and care charges continue to accrue each day the balance remains unpaid.